Insider look at the design process of Walt Disney Imagineering

August 22, 2019, 4:26 pm ·

This weekend will be full of information on theme parks as Disney hosts its biennial D23 Expo in Anaheim. The highlight of the show for theme park fans should be the Disney Parks President's "Sneak Peek" presentation on Sunday morning, but news related to attractions may be interrupted at any time during this three-day event. days, given the narrowness with which Disney has integrated its theme parks. otherwise, it is the case throughout the company.

Disney will use live presentations, video productions, displays and other media to reveal and inform fans about projects at Disney's six theme park complexes around the world. But the media by which fans should not expect Disney to publish its D23 Expo newspaper is stone.

Amusement park attraction design is a very complex process. Earlier in the process, Disney – or any other company specializing in amusement parks – announces a project, the more likely that what it announces could change before fans can experience it.

"People may be surprised to learn that the work we do at Walt Disney Imagineering is as complex and challenging as creating a feature film, involving hundreds of people representing different talents and disciplines," said Bob. Weis, president of Walt Disney Imagineering in an email. to me this morning.

"Each of our projects is a journey that can last five years between the initial idea and the opening day, and many things can happen during this period: technology advances, a better idea emerges, etc. . "

A few years ago, I proposed to Theme Park Insider readers a 10-step process to help you better judge rumors about theme parks. In the end, the principle that also underlies the management of your expectations with projects officially announced by the parks.

I then suggested that thematic entertainment projects follow a 10-step process from inspiration to installation. At Walt Disney Imagineering, this is officially a seven step process:

1. Blue sky
2. Concept
3. Feasibility
4. Design
5. Production
6. Installation
7. Opening

"D23 Expo offers us an exciting opportunity to reveal new projects directly to Disney's biggest fans, and it's also an opportunity to share updates on things we've already announced. Therefore, discussions are as varied as those of the original concept, an attraction phase that will open soon, "said Weis.

When Disney announces a new project for its parks, you can rest assured that Disney employees really work there. These are not rumors emanating from the imagination of a publisher looking for clicks … nor the result of a long phone game between members of the distribution having more and more links far away with the WDI team. But very few Disney attractions arrive at the opening unchanged since their birth in the blue sky phase.

"Because we often advertise things that are in the concept phase, there is always a chance that what we share today is different from what we actually build, which is why we call our works with "Artist-only concept." give our fans a glimpse of what awaits them and allow them to participate in the excitement, rather than a literal representation of what will eventually be built " said Weis.

The WDI design process tests blue sky ideas to find those that have the strength to continue as popular attractions in the world's most visited theme parks. As a member of Disney's big entertainment conglomerate, Imagineers works with Disney Animation, Lucasfilm, Marvel and Pixar partners to develop attraction concepts and then measure their feasibility, not only technically, but also the brand and brand plan. and strategy, as well. These feasibility tests can involve managers at the highest level of the business and last up to a year.

From there, concepts become concepts as Imagineers works on previews, deciding on methods, effects, materials and finishes that will be part of the project. After that, these designs are then tested in production, as Imagineers and the subcontractors embark on building information modeling, logistics, and procure and manufacture equipment.

"I'm thinking of how the studios are developing a film, you could go to the movies this weekend and see a trailer of something that will not be out for a year." You'll get a general idea of ​​the plot and characters, but from here to the first, there will be market studies and screenings on the test audience likely to significantly influence the final product.We have put in place a process similar internal in which we invite Imagineers and their families to test concept models, our design process and inform our decisions before we start to build, "said Weis.

So, what we will see at the D23 show – and on any other occasion when Disney unveils or updates a project – is a snapshot of a constantly changing process … and what about it? could be a lot more. to play before the opening day. That's why Disney on Sunday might not have all the answers that fans expect from such presentations. The process is just not finished yet.

"We talk a lot about hundreds of different disciplines at Imagineering and the many talents needed to form a project team, but we probably do not discuss the design process itself as often as we should. Most people do not realize that immersive storytelling, like other forms of narration and other creative projects, is an ever-evolving process, and it's certainly fun to speculate on what Imagineering will be, but we We're not happy with the creative process, it's not unique to Imagineering or our industry, and most designers will attest that this process is dynamic and creativity to flourish, "said Weis.

"By the way, Imagineers finds the iteration process incredibly exciting and exciting – some of our best ideas did not come through in the initial phase or even in the development phase, but when we're at the heart of We keep a complete collection of unused concepts that can be reused in the future In my experience, a good idea rarely dies at Imagineering – it just feeds another one. "

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